Optimizing Mortar Strength for Infrastructure Applications Using Rice Husk Ash and Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash

Abstract

Infrastructure development increasingly requires sustainable construction materials, with waste utilization serving as a key strategy to address this need. Employing eco-friendly materials with enhanced engineering properties not only mitigates the environmental impact of waste but also lowers the carbon footprint associated with cement production. Accordingly, this research aims to investigate the potential of enhancing the performance of municipal solid waste incineration ash (MSWIA) mortar through the incorporation of rice husk ash (RHA) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), thereby supporting the principles of a circular economy. The MSWIA mortar comprised 25% bottom ash (BA) and 5% fly ash (FA) as substitutes for fine aggregate and cement, respectively. Cement was then replaced with RHA at 5–30% to assess the influence of RHA on the properties of MSWIA mortars such as workability, strength development, and water absorption. Adding RHA led to a lower flow rate and setting time than mortar content-only MSWIA. Nonetheless, the various mechanical properties of MSWIA mortar, such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexure strength, were found to be increased when the RHA quantity was used at 10% as a cement replacement. The water absorption of the mortar mixes was reduced by increasing RHA up to 15%. The test results revealed that the mortar’s microstructural properties were notably enhanced, and the UPV measurements confirmed the overall good quality of the mortar specimens. Therefore, incorporating RHA and MSWIA in construction not only enhances performance but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon dioxide emission and landfill waste.